Nathi Lions coach Professor Ngubane believes his side will have a psychological edge when they tackle Mpumalamga Black Aces in the first leg of the PSL's promotion/relegation semi-final at home on March 17.

The Durban-based Lions earned the right to compete against Aces, who finished 15th in the PSL's Premiership, by finishing runners-up in the National First Division Coastal Stream.

In the other two-legged semi-final, Black Leopards get a second bite at promotion when they face Qwa-Qwa based African Warriors, also on March 17. Inland Steam winners Leopards were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Vasco da Gama in the NFD final playoff which ended last weekend.

The win earned Vasco, the Coastal Stream champions, promotion to the Premiership next season.

The playoff draw was made at the PSL's Johannesburg headquarters on Tuesday and while Ngubane said although the draw was tough, Lions had an edge.

"My goal this season was not winning the Stream. I planned for the play-offs and achieved that goal."

"But I do not believe Aces want to be playing us or anyone in the playoffs. They have had a tough season in the PSL and their heads must be down knowing they face two cup finals against us. So that gives us an advantage when we meet them."

Durban born Ngubane has experience in abundance and is credited for saving Umtata Bush Bucks from relegation to the NFD while in charge of Imbabala and has also coached Maritzburg United, Thanda Royal Zulu, Leopards and the now defunct African Wanderers.

Ngubane said Lions would not be offering any bonuses to the players: "Winning promotion to the PSL will be enough reward for

any young player worth his salt."

But Aces CEO Marc Grune, dismissed claims his players would not be up for the challenge, but did admit it would be a psychological battle.

"We know what we have to do. We are not down at the prospect of having to play Lions and then go into the two legged final to retain our PSL status.

"Playoffs are unpredictable, but we will be ready and focused. We have improved a lot since our new coach Ari Agiomamitis took over in December.

"We collected six points in the final Premiership run-in and that saved us going straight back to the First Division. We have a chance to fight for our PSL lives and we intend taking it."

Leopards spokesman Steven Ellerpy said his players had learnt from losing against Vasco: "We did not play well enough in either leg of the final, but now we have another chance and know where we need to improve.

"Our goal is the PSL and I believe we have the talent and ability to achieve that goal."

Warriors coach Ashwin Sutton admitted he was happy to be playing Leopards.

"We have played Leopards three times this season and know what to expect.

"I would rather play a team I know than one that is a closed book to me. It is a good draw for me and we want to repay our fans in Qwa-Qwa by winning promotion and this is the first step on that road.

The semi-final second legs will be played on March 24.

The first leg of the final will be played on April 3 and the second leg on April 7.